Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are ‘fake’ clinics most often run by anti-choice organizations that advertise free services to women facing unintended pregnancies. Many CPCs are run by or affiliated with national networks, such as CareNet, Bethany Christian Services, Birthright, and Heartbeat International. The most common services include free pregnancy testing, onsite ultrasound or ultrasound referrals, counseling, and short-term materials or healthcare assistance. Some CPCs also operate or work in connection with adoption agencies. The majority of CPCs are volunteer-run, though some have medically-licensed staff onsite, often working as volunteers.

While many CPCs claim to provide unbiased information and assistance to pregnant women, their fundamental goal is to dissuade women from exploring the full range of reproductive health options. And to attain this goal, they often times provide women facing unintended pregnancies with medically inaccurate and intentionally deceptive information on reproductive health, fetal development, contraception, and abortion. Currently, there are more than 65 crisis pregnancy centers currently operating in Virginia. 

In addition, CPCs often encourage women to delay decision-making, resulting in a far more time and resource-constricted decision. In Virginia, abortions can only be performed in clinics up to fourteen weeks, and many CPCs capitalize on this limited timeframe by suggesting the likelihood of a miscarriage. Many CPCs also intentionally suggest that gestational development is farther along than it actually is, making women wrongly-assume that abortions will not be as safe or accessible.

Sign the petition to tell the state legislature to stop fuding for fake clinics and visit NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia's website to learn more about Virginia CPCs.